Improvement in dredging-buckets



T. SYMONDS. Dredging Buckets No. 193,951 Patented jam-.3,- 1878,

yq 1 w passes through pipe to.

THOMAS srMoNns, or nnsrnosrolv, vrAssAoneserrsj M PROV-EM'ENT IN D RE-uei-Ne-B U ORE- s Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 98,957, dated January 8, 1878; application filed July 30, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS SYMoNDs, of East Boston, in the county of Sufl'olk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dredging- Buckets; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to" the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

' 'My invention relates to dredging apparatus; and the object is to operate what is commonly called a dredging bucket or grapple by a-hydraulic cylinder directly connected to the bucket or grapple.

The invention consists of a hydraulic cyl inder with suitableinlet and outlet pipes, and whose piston-rod is directly attached to the dredging bucket or grapple, the outer ends of which are connected to the sides of the cylinder by suitable bars or levers.

It also consists in a diaphragm or clearer fitting the sides of the bucket, and being directly secured to the lower end of the pistonrod, by means of which diaphragm the bucket is cleared of any mud, dirt, 850., that may adhere to the'sides of the'bucket when it is desired to empty it of its contents, and the sand is also prevented from being washed out in raising the bucket, all of which will be more fully described in the following specification,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings and letters of reference thereon.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an end elevation 'of myimproved dredgingbucket. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same,

partly in section.

mitted to the opposite sides of the piston.

For opening the bucket the water passes through pipe to, and for closing the same it These pipes to a are suitably secured to rubber or other pipes leadmg to the surface of the water, and connected to stmaable pumps, by which the bucket is opera e v To the lower end of the piston-rod IB is .attached a cross-head, G, having suitable projecting pins 0 c on its outer ends, to which the two halves D D of the bucket are hinged.

To the outer corners of the bucket are attached the double levers or bars E E at one of their ends, while their other ends are pivoted to the sides of the cylinder, as shown at e c.

Immediately below the cross-head O is secured a diaphragm, F, which, as nearly as possible, fits the bucket-sections on sides and ends. This may be of any suitable material, and varied in thickness for different sizes of buckets. By this diaphragm the mud, dirt, &c., adhering to the bucket-sections is cleared out when the bucket is to be emptied of its contents. The sand, &c., is also prevented from being washed out of the bucket in raising it through the water.

To the upper side of the cylinder a crosspiece, G, is firmly secured, provided with two rings or eyes, g g, by which, the whole apparatus israised and lowered in the water.

Instead of the bucket-sections, the usual grap ples may be attached, if desired, in a similar manner. p

A stuffing-box, H, of the ordinary construction, keeps the piston-rod tight. M The great advantages of my invention are, that it is simple in its construction, very easily manipulated, not liable to get out of order, that great power or force can be exerted. The bucket canbe entirely filled by re- Having thus described my inventiomwhatl Q claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-- 1. The method of operating dredgingbuckets or grapples by means of ahydraulic cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. In dredging-buckets, a diaphragm, F, arand arranged substantially as shown andjhereranged substantially as shown, and for the in set forth.

' purpose described. In'testimony that I claim the foregoing as 3. The combination of a, hydraulic cylinder, my own I hereby aflix my signature in pres- A, bucket-sections D D, and levers E E, ar-' ence of two Witnesses.

ranged substantially asshown and for the purv Dose described 7 THOMAS SYMONDS.

4. The combination of a hydraulic cylinder, Witnesses: Y

A, bucket-sections D D", levers E E, cross- HENRY B. FIsKE,

head 0, anda diaphragm, F, all constructed 1 GEOVH. FOGG. 

